Can anyone tell me about frame stretch

[Sharps-Nut]

I read on the net most handi's suffer from frame stretch is it true, does this mean it would loosen up in the break open part like the old shotguns do.  Is there any technique that should be use when opening and closing a handi to "protect" it from undue wear. I am new to the handi and did not see a sticky on it to introduce newbies to the handi.  Mine is a used 223,  during sight in it seemed it or I would pitch a wild shot when grouping.  Usually a high low issue and would open a three shot group by inches that started out as 1 inch or smaller.  Any help for a newbie appreciated. Thanks SN

[coues2506]

Lots of high intensity or high pressure loads will eventually stretch the frame of any break action design. Keep pressures mild in your reloads to greatly extend the life of your gun. The "stretch" is just enough to make the gun feel " loose" and will eventually effect accuracy. It's not something to worry about unless you are really pushing the "envelope". The .223 will never stretch your frame, just not enough "back thrust", or at least not for many thousands of rounds.

[Spanky]

Frames flex... I think the stretch thing is just that... a stretch.
You'd be more likely to get underlug setback on the barrel.



Spanky

[quickdtoo]

Frame "stretch" is a myth, but the action itself has some flex in it, just shoot a high pressure bottle necked round that has a case head of .470" or bigger loaded near or just over max and take a look at the gap at the standing breech and barrel before opening the action, I've done it several times with hot loads and quite a bit while testing the 300WSM barrel, but the frames are undamaged and show no sign of "stretch", the 300WSM frame is on my 6.5x55 now and shoots great. The flex is internal most likely at the latch pin which IMO is the weak point, the pin isn't supported near the latch, just on the ends at the frame. I think if the pin diameter were increased in size from .187" to .250", it would help a lot.

Tim

[LaOtto222]

Flexing - yes. Wear - yes. Stretching - no. The old shotguns that get loose after several years of use is due to wear. The materials they used are not as good of quality as ones made today. I think most of the wear is in the under lug of the barrel. There is some wear in the latch lug area, but the design of the Handi rifle is such that it will "wear in". They some times shoot better as this area wears in. Flexing is in the area that Tim is talking about, but after it is opened up it will spring back into place. If it does not spring back, then there has been set back in the under lug or the latch has sprung. It takes some serious pressure to do this. This only applies to high intensity cartridges of a large diameter. There is always some flexing, but it gets worse with more Pressure PSI. There are no worries with Normal sized cases that are not high intensity. Frame stretch is a myth started by people who do not know. Get a Handi with no worries of frame stretching. Good Luck and Good Shooting

[Sharps-Nut]

The used one I got impressed me eneogh upon shooting it to want to play more and soon.  It was hold 1" groups with 52 bthp loaded with sierra seconds bullets and 2520 powder.  The combo was set up for another rifle I used to play with and all I had on hand.  After sighting it in my 360 yard gong sounded off in one aimed shot with hold over,,  4" high and centered left to right.  Not bad for fist time out on a second hand rifle with loads developed for another.  Could have been a blind hog finding a acorn but it made me smile.  That said what about my wild flyers, is indian or arrow, is ther any sandbag position they perform in better than the other?  Thanks SN

[quickdtoo]

Spend some time in the FAQs and Help sticky as well as the Handi Basic 101, you'll find all the info you need to shoot it well consistently. 

Tim

[Graybeard]

I doubt the lock up on NEFs is solid enough to stretch the frame. Maybe but not likely. I think other parts will bend or break instead. Now on Contenders you can stretch the frame as their lock up is solid enough to do that when shooting rounds that have no business in such a frame or if pressures get high enough even in rounds that are safe in them at SAAMI pressure levels.

Tim I can't imagine any WSM being a safe option in an NEF. JD Jones of SSK fame refuses to chamber any of the WSM or RUMs in even the Encore which is a much stronger gun than an NEF. The case is too fat and the base too large for the amount of barrel steel at the chamber area according to him in the Encore. It is much stronger than the NEF.

[quickdtoo]

I'm well aware of that Bill, the entire story of that barrel was posted here, I got the barrel from Mac for $17.00 shipping at his urging to run some low pressure loads hoping to achieve 30-06AI velocities using Accurate MagPro at the recommendation of Johann at Accurate powder, pressures were <50kpsi, but the huge .555" case head didn't even allow 30-06 velocities without action flex and the dreaded "gap" after firing. The barrel and frame became a stub project by Wayne for the 6.5x55 Ultra which shoots very well, I did replace the latch pin tho thinking it may have been weakened. 

Tim

[Graybeard]

Didn't want folks thinking it safe to chamber to such rounds. Some "so called gunsmiths" do chamber the Encore to them and it usually results in only bad things happening.

[quickdtoo]

Most of those custom Encore barrel makers that used to chamber short mags no longer do.

Tim

[Sharps-Nut]

Found the sticky's.  I can't figure why they did not show day one, or maybe I wasn't logged in  or just had my head up my butt.  Thanks SN